17 Cottage Pie Recipes With an Irresistible Mashed Potato *Crust*

There’s no more satisfying comfort food this time of year than a hearty pot pie. But rolling out pastry dough is not exactly synonymous with *relax* mode, amiright? Enter cottage pie, with all the meat-and-gravy stew you crave topped with a mashed tater crust. Similar to shepherd’s pie, but made without lamb, cottage pie recipes traditionally call for beef, but these days they come in all flavors and sizes, including vegan versions. Here are 17 cottage pie recipes that are certain to become your cold-weather faves.

Shepherd{ette} Pies

Prepare to meet the mashed potato goodness kids of any age go ga-ga over. This recipe turns out three different versions of pie, all topped with cheese for an extra dollop of yum. (via Farmette)

Cottage Pie

This one’s for all the vegans in the house. The potato topping covers a stew that’s *meaty* thanks to two types of mushrooms. Even the carnivores in the house will gobble it up. (via Vanilla and Bean)

Mini Cottage Pies With Parsnip and Potato Top

This gourmet pie is like the Cadillac of cottage pies. With multiple savory flavors layered in — thanks to ingredients like red wine, fennel, and Worcestershire — it’s topped with a mix of mashed potato and parsnips. (via Mind Food)

Cottage Pie

Are you a potato queen? Lover of all things gravy? This classic ground-beef cottage pie is calling your name. (via RecipeTin Eats)

Shepherd’s Pie With Caramelized Leeks and Onions

This flavorful pie brings on some extra heat and rich umami, thanks to harissa and anchovy paste. Now that’s creative cooking. (via Many Kitchens)

Easy Crock-Pot Braised Shepherd’s Pie

This pie starts with a chuck roast that’s slow cooked all day in the crockpot. The end result — extra-saucy beef nestled under a layer of warm potatoes — is SOOOO worth the time. (via Live Simply)

Individual Shepherd’s Pies

These beef and veg pies are baked in individual ramekins, so you can freeze some and dole them out as needed. (via Cupcakes & Kale Chips)

Champ-Topped Vegetable Beef Guinness Casserole

Champ is an Irish thang… basically mashed potatoes with scallion and loads of butter. (via An Edible Mosaic)

Creamy Turkey Shepherd’s Pot Pie With Bacon

This cottage pie tastes like a turkey pot pie with a cheesy, bacon-studded, creamy mashed potato topping. You might want to change into your stretchy yoga pants before tucking in. (via The Flavor Bender)

Sweet Potato Chicken Cottage Pie

This chicken cottage pie with a sweet potato topper is a healthy take on comfort food. It’s also 100 percent gluten-free. (via The Petite Cook)

Gluten-Free Shepherd’s Pie

From-scratch cooking never tasted so good. This recipe includes substitutions, for cooks who want to make it dairy-free as well as GF. (via Noshtastic)

Chicken Cottage Pie

This recipe tastes EXACTLY like chicken pot pie. The only thing you’re missing without the pastry crust is the extra fat and calories. (via The Healthy Foodie)

Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie

Bookmark this one for Meatless Mondays. It’s not only hearty and delicious, but it’s also about half the calories of traditional pies. (via The Cookful)

Shepherd’s Pie

If you want to taste the difference between cottage and shepherd’s pie, make this lamb version. It’s the real-deal that English grandmothers have been making for generations. (via Gourmet Traveller)

Madeira Mushroom Cottage Pies With Sweet Potato

Cooking with wine always adds a little something-something to the gravy, amiright? The slightly sweet wine really complements this sweet potato crust. (via Little Scratch Kitchen)

Freezer Shepherd’s Pie

These mini versions are made with beef brisket that’s been slow cooked until it falls off the bone. The sauce calls for a roux starter that makes a thick gravy so delish you’ll want to slurp it up through a straw. (via Away from the Box)

Shepherd’s Pie Twice-Baked Potatoes

If a twice-baked potato and a pot pie had a baby, it would look like this. It was only a matter of time before some enterprising foodie stuffed potato jackets with ALL the fixins. (via Chocolate Moosey)